SOMATIC TRAUMA THERAPY

Led by: Babette Rothschild, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.

Post-traumatic Stress and Somatic Trauma Therapy

Post-traumatic Stress (PTS) can develop after exposure to traumatic experience(s) and results from imbalance between the parasympathetic branches of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). The ANS prepares to meet a threat, but after the threat is passed or survived, the ANS never returns to its normal, balanced state. Extreme disturbance may lead to symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Effective somatic trauma therapy with PTS involves both cognitive and body work. It helps the client only to remember and psychologically resolve the traumatic situation, but also to restore lost physical reflexes and balance to the ANS. This is done by reviewing the events surrounding the trauma (both before and after its occurrence) - never "reliving" it -, and through work with the body that focuses on (re)developing body awareness, body acceptance and body integrity. Central to somatic trauma therapy are the psychological and physical resources that are developed as well as the importance of the therapeutic relationship. Eventually the traumatic event, itself, can be confronted, after most of its effect has been dissipated and balance in the ANS has been restored. Duration of a somatic trauma therapy can range from a few sessions to several years, depending on: the nature of the trauma(s); the age of the client at the time of the trauma(s); if the trauma(s) is isolated, intertwined with other trauma(s) or continuous; and the client's current resources and strenghts.

INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP

Open to all medical and helping professionals and students.

This workshop is a prequisite for the advanced workshops described below.

This intoductory workshop is conducted through lecture, discussion, exercices and demonstrations. There will be review of both traditional and alternative theories of PTSD including (but not limited to) those developed by: Judith Herman, M.D., at Harvard University, Cambridge Massachusetts, USA; the Bodynamic Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark; and Peter Levine, Ph.D., Ergos Institute, Boulder, Colorado, USA.

Theory topics include: Causes of Trauma, Psychology of Stress and Trauma - including the role of dissociation, Physiology of Stress and Trauma - including the role of the ANS, Identification and Diagnosis (including acute, delayed onset, simple and complex forms of PTS and PTSD), Preparing Clients for therapy - including building safety in the therapeutic space.

There will be an emphasis throughout this workshop on making trauma therapy - no matter which tecnique(s) is being used - safer by learning to slow down and reduce hyperarousal in the ANS.

This workshop is consistent with and a useful adjunct to all existing theories and tecniques of trauma therapy.

ADVANCED WORKSHOPS 1 & 2

Prerequisites:

1) Advanced workshops 1 & 2 are presented as a series. Participants must commit to attend both workshops. The series is open to practicing psychotherapists and body-psychotherapists with at least one year's experience, who also attend regular supervision.
2) Participants must have attended an Introductory Workshop.
3) Participants must be willing to engage in a course of therapy if personal trauma issues become activated during the cource.

ADVANCED 1.

Theory and tecnique of therapeutic treatment will be the focus of this workshop. Issues, including transference and counter-transference will be explored. Participants will begin practicing Peter Levine's system of tracking and association (SIBAM) with each other, and will also begin to apply theory to the development of their own tecniques. There will be continued practice with body awareness, boundary, and safety skills.

ADVANCED 2.

The BODYnamic "running tecnique" and the appropriate use of the "safe place" and "helpers" will be introducted and practiced. Participants will be supervised in choosing tecniques, both with fellow participants, and with their own clients. Ample time will be alloted to the practicing, deepening, integrating and clarifying of skills and theoretical knowledge gained throughout the series. There will also be discussion of how to know a traumatic event is worked through, how to end a somatic trauma therapy, and how to integrate work with trauma into a long-term course of therapy.